Time course and mechanisms of circulating progenitor cell reduction in the natural history of type 2 diabetes

Diabetes Care. 2010 May;33(5):1097-102. doi: 10.2337/dc09-1999. Epub 2010 Feb 11.

Abstract

Objective: Reduction of bone marrow-derived circulating progenitor cells has been proposed as a novel mechanism of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes. The present study was designed to describe the extent and potential mechanisms of progenitor cell reduction during the natural history of type 2 diabetes.

Research design and methods: We identified 425 individuals, divided into seven categories according to carbohydrate metabolism status (normal glucose tolerance [NGT], impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance [IGT], and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes) and diabetes duration (0-9, 10-19, and >or=20 years). These categories were examined as ideally describing the natural history of type 2 diabetes development and progression. We measured CD34+ and CD34+KDR+ progenitor cells by flow cytometry. We also evaluated progenitor cells in 20 coupled bone marrow and peripheral blood samples and examined progenitor cell apoptosis in 34 subjects.

Results: In comparison to NGT, CD34+ cells were significantly reduced in IGT and had a first nadir in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and a second nadir after 20 years of diabetes. Statistical adjustment for possible confounders confirmed that CD34+ cell counts are deeply reduced at time of diagnosis, that they partially recover during the subsequent 0-19 years, and that they dip again after >or=20 years. A similar, but less consistent, trend was detected for CD34+KDR+ cells. Peripheral blood CD34+ cells were directly correlated with bone marrow CD34+ cells and inversely correlated with CD34+ cell apoptosis.

Conclusions: Circulating progenitor cell reduction marks the clinical onset of type 2 diabetes. Both defective mobilization and increased apoptosis may account for this phenomenon. While a partial recovery occurs during subsequent years, bone marrow reserve seems exhausted in the long term.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD34 / metabolism
  • Apoptosis
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Cell Count
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / epidemiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / pathology*
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / epidemiology
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / pathology*
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Glucose Intolerance / epidemiology
  • Glucose Intolerance / pathology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2